All Nonprofit Mission Statement Examples
American Heart Association
Mission: To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Why this works: "Relentless force" conveys urgency and determination. "Longer, healthier lives" is the outcome everyone wants. Aspirational yet achievable.
How to improve: Doesn't mention heart health specifically—could apply to any health org. Consider including their specific focus area.
Visit American Heart AssociationBoys & Girls Clubs of America
Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Why this works: "Especially those who need us most" acknowledges equity focus. Outcome-oriented with specific attributes (productive, caring, responsible).
How to improve: "Enable" is passive. "Citizens" feels slightly dated. Consider more dynamic language that reflects how they actually achieve this.
Visit Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaPlanned Parenthood
Mission: Help all people live full, healthy lives — no matter your income, insurance, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or immigration status; <br>Provide the high-quality inclusive and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services all people need and deserve — with respect and compassion;<br>Advocate for public policies that protect and expand reproductive rights and access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion; <br> Provide medically accurate education that advances the understanding of human sexuality, healthy relationships, and body autonomy; <br> Promote research and technology that enhances reproductive health care and access
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Visit Planned ParenthoodSusan G. Komen
Mission: Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.
Why this works: Balances immediate action (meeting needs) with long-term vision (breakthrough research). "Prevent and cure" covers the full spectrum.
How to improve: "Most critical needs in our communities" is vague. What are these needs specifically? More concrete language would strengthen it.
Visit Susan G. KomenThe ALS Association
Mission: To make ALS livable and cure it.
Why this works:
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Visit The ALS AssociationMake-A-Wish America
Mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Why this works: Short, powerful, and memorable. "Together" emphasizes community. "Life-changing" elevates the impact. The word "wishes" connects directly to their brand.
How to improve: Near perfect. Could potentially add what happens as a result of these wishes, but brevity may be the better choice.
Visit Make-A-Wish AmericaWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Mission: To build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
Why this works:
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Visit World Wildlife Fund (WWF)Greenpeace USA
Mission: To ensure the ability of the earth to nurture life in all its diversity.
Why this works:
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Visit Greenpeace USAAmerican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Mission: The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
Why this works:
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Visit American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Amnesty International USA
Mission: Our vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. In pursuit of this vision, our mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights.
Why this works:
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Visit Amnesty International USAHuman Rights Watch
Mission: Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice.
Why this works: "Scrupulously investigate" emphasizes rigor and credibility. Clear methodology: investigate, expose, pressure. "Those with power" is appropriately confrontational.
How to improve: Two sentences could be combined. The second sentence describes methods more than mission. What is the ultimate outcome they seek?
Visit Human Rights WatchSouthern Poverty Law Center
Mission: To be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.
Why this works: "Catalyst" implies enabling others' power. Direct language about white supremacy is bold and clear. Acknowledges work extends beyond their geographic roots.
How to improve: Trying to accomplish too much in one statement. "Intersectional movements" may not resonate with all audiences. Pick one primary focus.
Visit Southern Poverty Law CenterNAACP
Mission: To achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.
Why this works: Comprehensive coverage of their multi-faceted work. Specific about beneficiaries. Addresses both rights and practical outcomes (education, economic security).
How to improve: Far too long and complex. Multiple clauses dilute impact. Break into a shorter mission with supporting pillars or values.
Visit NAACPSierra Club
Mission: To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.
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Visit Sierra ClubNatural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Mission: NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
Why this works: Elegant structure with the dash creating emphasis. Includes people alongside nature. "All life depends" raises universal stakes.
How to improve: Very similar to Nature Conservancy's mission. Could differentiate by emphasizing their legal/policy approach.
Visit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)Environmental Defense Fund
Mission: To build a vital Earth. For everyone.
Why this works:
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Visit Environmental Defense FundConservation International
Mission: We envision a healthy, prosperous world in which societies are forever committed to caring for and valuing nature, for the long-term benefit of people and all life on Earth.
Why this works:
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Visit Conservation InternationalJane Goodall Institute
Mission: Create an informed and compassionate multitude who will help build a better world for people, other animals, and our shared environment.
Why this works:
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Visit Jane Goodall InstituteOceana
Mission: Oceana is campaigning around the globe to protect and restore the world’s oceans.
Why this works:
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Visit OceanaRainforest Alliance
Mission: To create a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.
Why this works: "Social and market forces" reflects their certification-based approach. Connects environmental protection to human livelihoods. Specific about beneficiaries.
How to improve: "More sustainable" is vague—more than what? Could be more specific about what success looks like.
Visit Rainforest AllianceNational Audubon Society
Mission: To protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
Why this works: Beautifully simple and focused. "The places they need" expands scope beyond just birds. "Today and tomorrow" balances urgency with long-term vision.
How to improve: Excellent as-is. This is a model of clarity and focus.
Visit National Audubon SocietyWildlife Conservation Society
Mission: To save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.
Why this works: Clear four-part approach. "Inspiring people to value nature" addresses hearts, not just habitats. Global scope is explicit.
How to improve: Listing methods (science, action, education) feels more like a strategy than a mission. Focus on the outcome.
Visit Wildlife Conservation SocietyPETA
Mission: PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry.
Why this works: Highly specific about focus areas. Data-driven language ("largest numbers," "most intensely," "longest periods") suggests strategic thinking.
How to improve: Reads more like a strategy statement than a mission. What is the ultimate goal? "Focuses its attention" is passive—what do they DO?
Visit PETAASPCA
Mission: To provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.
Why this works: Historic language that connects to their founding purpose. Clear geographic scope. "Prevention of cruelty" is specific and actionable.
How to improve: Formal, somewhat dated language. "Provide effective means" is vague—what means? Could be modernized while honoring heritage.
Visit ASPCAHumane Society of the United States
Mission: We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals.
Why this works: Punchy and memorable. "Big fights" implies systemic change, not just rescue. "All animals" is comprehensive. First-person creates connection.
How to improve: "Big fights" is colloquial and may not translate universally. What constitutes a "big fight"?
Visit Humane Society of the United StatesBest Friends Animal Society
Mission: To bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets.
Why this works: Crystal clear goal that's measurable. "No More Homeless Pets" is a powerful, repeatable rallying cry. Simple and aspirational.
How to improve: Excellent as-is. The capitalization of "No More Homeless Pets" creates a branded phrase. A model mission statement.
Visit Best Friends Animal Society4-H
Mission: To empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
Why this works: "Empower" puts youth in control. "Caring adults" emphasizes mentorship. "Working and learning" reflects hands-on approach.
How to improve: "Full potential" is generic—potential for what? Could be more specific about outcomes or their unique agricultural/STEM focus.
Visit 4-HGirl Scouts of the USA
Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Why this works: Memorable alliteration with the three C's. Connects individual development to global impact. "Builds" implies active development.
How to improve: Strong as-is. Could potentially be more action-oriented, but the alliteration creates stickiness.
Visit Girl Scouts of the USABoy Scouts of America (Scouting America)
Mission: The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Why this works: Focus on lifelong impact, not just youth years. "Ethical and moral choices" is clear values positioning. Connects to specific, known principles.
How to improve: Remove "The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is"—redundant. References to Oath and Law assume audience knowledge. Modernize the language.
Visit Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America)Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Mission: Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Why this works: "Ignite the power and promise" is vivid and aspirational. "One-to-one" clearly differentiates their model. Concise and memorable.
How to improve: Strong as-is. Could potentially specify what outcomes result from these relationships, but brevity works well.
Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaTeach For America
Mission: To find, develop and support extraordinary leaders to transform education and expand opportunity for all children.
Why this works: Clear pipeline approach (find, develop, support). "Transform education" implies systemic change. "All children" emphasizes equity.
How to improve: "Extraordinary leaders" could feel elitist. The focus on leaders rather than students as primary beneficiaries is a strategic choice worth examining.
Visit Teach For AmericaKhan Academy
Mission: To provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.
Why this works: One of the best mission statements ever written. "Free, world-class" breaks the assumed trade-off. "Anyone, anywhere" is radically inclusive. Unforgettable.
How to improve: Nothing. This is a perfect mission statement. Clear, bold, memorable, and aspirational.
Visit Khan AcademyCode.org
Mission: To expand access to computer science in schools and increase participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups.
Why this works: Specific about both the "what" (computer science) and the "who" (underrepresented groups). Addresses equity directly.
How to improve: Reads more like a program description than an aspirational mission. What's the ultimate vision for these students and for society?
Visit Code.orgWikimedia Foundation
Mission: To empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally.
Why this works: Captures the participatory model. "Free license" and "public domain" are specific and differentiated. Covers creation and distribution.
How to improve: Too long and technical. "Disseminate it effectively and globally" is jargon-heavy. Lead with the outcome: free knowledge for everyone.
Visit Wikimedia FoundationMozilla Foundation
Mission: To ensure the Internet remains a global public resource, open and accessible to all.
Why this works: "Global public resource" frames the internet as a commons. "Remains" implies protecting something valuable that already exists. Concise and clear.
How to improve: Strong as-is. Could potentially be more active—what do they DO to ensure this? But the simplicity works.
Visit Mozilla FoundationInternet Archive
Mission: To provide universal access to all knowledge.
Why this works: Incredibly ambitious and inspiring. "Universal" and "all" leave no one out. Simple enough for anyone to understand and remember.
How to improve: Nothing. This is a perfect mission statement. Bold, clear, and timeless.
Visit Internet ArchiveNPR
Mission: To work in partnership with Member Stations to create a more informed public—one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures.
Why this works: "Challenged and invigorated" goes beyond just informing. Acknowledges the network model with Member Stations. Rich vocabulary.
How to improve: Too long and complex. "Create a more informed public" would suffice. The em-dash construction makes it harder to remember.
Visit NPRPBS
Mission: To create content that educates, informs and inspires.
Why this works: Simple triplet structure is memorable. Covers rational (educates, informs) and emotional (inspires) dimensions. Concise.
How to improve: Generic—could apply to any media company. Doesn't differentiate PBS or reflect their public service role. Who is the audience?
Visit PBSTED
Mission: Spread ideas.
Why this works: Two words. Unforgettable. Perfectly captures what TED does. One of the most concise mission statements in existence.
How to improve: Nothing. This proves that shorter is almost always better. The constraint forces absolute clarity.
Visit TEDSmithsonian Institution
Mission: The increase and diffusion of knowledge.
Why this works: Historic language from their founding mandate (1846). "Increase and diffusion" covers research and education. Elegant simplicity.
How to improve: Language feels dated. "Diffusion" is not common usage today. Could be modernized while honoring the original intent.
Visit Smithsonian InstitutionRotary International
Mission: We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Why this works: Covers service, values, and global impact. Clearly identifies who's involved (business/professional/community leaders). Uses first person.
How to improve: Long with multiple clauses. Tries to cover too much ground. "Fellowship" may feel dated. Simplify and focus.
Visit Rotary InternationalLions Clubs International
Mission: To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Why this works: "Empower volunteers" centers their members. Connects local service to global peace. Clear mechanism (through Lions clubs).
How to improve: Four objectives in one sentence is too many. What's the primary focus? Pick one and lead with it.
Visit Lions Clubs InternationalKiva
Mission: To expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive.
Why this works: Concise and clear. "Financial access" is specific to their model. "Thrive" is aspirational and positive.
How to improve: Could mention the person-to-person lending model that makes them unique. "Underserved communities" is broad—who specifically?
Visit KivaHeifer International
Mission: To end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.
Why this works: Ambitious dual goals simply stated. "While caring for the Earth" adds environmental dimension. Concise and memorable.
How to improve: Doesn't reflect their unique livestock-giving model. How do they end hunger differently than other organizations?
Visit Heifer InternationalCARE
Mission: To serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world.
Why this works: Simple and direct. "Poorest communities in the world" is specific about focus. Uses accessible language.
How to improve: "Serve" is vague—serve how? Toward what outcome? The statement doesn't differentiate CARE from similar organizations.
Visit CAREOxfam America
Mission: To tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.
Why this works: "Root causes" implies systemic approach, not just aid. "Lasting solutions" emphasizes sustainability over charity.
How to improve: Quite generic. Many organizations claim to address root causes. What makes Oxfam's approach unique?
Visit Oxfam AmericaSave the Children
Mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Why this works: "Breakthroughs" implies innovation and ambition. Balances immediate action with lasting impact. Child-centered focus is clear.
How to improve: "The way the world treats children" is vague. What specific changes? The statement is also somewhat long.
Visit Save the ChildrenUNICEF USA
Mission: To work for the survival, protection and development of every child.
Why this works: Clear three-part framework (survival, protection, development). "Every child" leaves no one out. Concise.
How to improve: "Work for" is passive. What do they actually DO? Consider more active language.
Visit UNICEF USAMercy Corps
Mission: To alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
Why this works: Covers immediate relief (suffering) and systemic issues (poverty, oppression). Empowerment-focused (helping people build). Good outcome language.
How to improve: Three problems and three solutions in one sentence is dense. Consider simplifying to one core idea.
Visit Mercy CorpsInternational Rescue Committee
Mission: To help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future.
Why this works: Vivid language ("shattered"). Progressive structure (survive, recover, gain control) shows full journey. Covers both lives and livelihoods.
How to improve: Long sentence. "Help people" could be stronger. Consider leading with the outcome rather than the problem.
Visit International Rescue CommitteeDirect Relief
Mission: To improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.
Why this works: Concise and clear. Covers both chronic issues (poverty) and acute crises (emergencies). Outcome-focused (improve health and lives).
How to improve: Generic—could apply to many health organizations. Doesn't reflect their medical supplies focus or efficiency.
Visit Direct ReliefPartners In Health
Mission: To provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.
Why this works: "Preferential option for the poor" is bold, faith-inspired language that prioritizes those most in need. Specific to health care.
How to improve: The theological phrase may not resonate with all audiences. Could be more specific about what this looks like in practice.
Visit Partners In HealthRoom to Read
Mission: To transform the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
Why this works: Specific dual focus (literacy and gender equality). "Millions of children" shows scale ambition. Clear beneficiaries.
How to improve: "Transform lives" is common language. What specifically happens when they succeed? Show the outcome more vividly.
Visit Room to ReadPencils of Promise
Mission: To build schools and increase access to education for children in the developing world.
Why this works: Clear and tangible (build schools). Simple language anyone can understand. Specific geographic focus.
How to improve: "Developing world" is somewhat dated terminology. Could be more specific about what happens as a result of education access.
Visit Pencils of PromiseCharity: Water
Mission: To help bring clean and safe drinking water to every person on the planet.
Why this works: Crystal clear focus (clean water). "Every person on the planet" is bold and inclusive. Simple, tangible goal.
How to improve: "Help bring" weakens the statement—they're bringing it, not just helping. Remove the hedge.
Visit Charity: WaterWater.org
Mission: To make it safe, accessible, and cost-effective for people to get safe water and sanitation.
Why this works: "Cost-effective" reflects their innovative financing approach. Includes sanitation, not just water. Practical focus.
How to improve: Repeats "safe" twice. "Make it...for people to get" is awkward construction. Simplify the language.
Visit Water.orgThe Trevor Project
Mission: To end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people.
Why this works: Bold, specific goal (end suicide). Clearly identifies the population served. No hedging or soft language.
How to improve: Strong as-is. The acronym LGBTQ+ could work, but spelling out may be intentional for clarity and inclusion.
Visit The Trevor ProjectGLSEN
Mission: To ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Why this works: "Every member of every school community" is inclusive of students, teachers, and staff. Specific school focus. Covers full identity spectrum.
How to improve: Long and could be tightened. "Valued and respected" is good but common language. What does this look like in practice?
Visit GLSENHuman Rights Campaign
Mission: To ensure that all LGBTQ+ people, and particularly those of us who are trans, people of color and HIV+, are treated as full and equal citizens within our movement, across our country and around the world.
Why this works: Explicitly centers most marginalized within the community. Uses first person ("those of us"). Three scopes: movement, country, world.
How to improve: Very long sentence. The parenthetical prioritization, while important, makes it complex. Consider simplifying while maintaining the equity focus.
Visit Human Rights CampaignGLAAD
Mission: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.
Why this works: "Rewrites the script" is perfect for a media organization. "Provoke dialogue" is active and bold. Clear mechanism (media).
How to improve: Two sentences could be combined. The name is repeated twice. Focus on one core idea.
Visit GLAADRAINN
Mission: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization.
Why this works: Defines the acronym clearly. "Nation's largest" establishes authority and scale.
How to improve: This is a description, not a mission. What do they DO? What's the goal? Needs to articulate purpose and aspiration.
Visit RAINNThe National Domestic Violence Hotline
Mission: To answer the call to support and shift power back to those affected by relationship abuse.
Why this works: "Answer the call" literally describes their hotline work. "Shift power back" is empowering language. "Relationship abuse" is clear.
How to improve: Strong as-is. Could potentially be more specific about outcomes, but the language is powerful and differentiating.
Visit The National Domestic Violence HotlineMothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Mission: To end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking.
Why this works: Four clear priorities. Calls impaired driving "violent crimes"—powerful framing. Covers prevention, enforcement, and victim support.
How to improve: Four separate goals is too many for one mission. Pick one primary focus. "Help fight" is weaker than "end"—make them parallel.
Visit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)March of Dimes
Mission: To lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies.
Why this works: Concise and memorable. "Lead the fight" positions them as the authority. "All moms and babies" is inclusive and clear.
How to improve: Nearly perfect. Could potentially add what this looks like (research, care, advocacy) but brevity wins.
Visit March of DimesEasterseals
Mission: To ensure that everyone - regardless of age or ability - is 100% included and 100% empowered.
Why this works: "100% included and 100% empowered" is bold and measurable-feeling. "Regardless of age or ability" is clear about who they serve.
How to improve: The "100%" repetition is memorable but might feel like marketing speak. What does 100% included actually mean?
Visit EastersealsSpecial Olympics
Mission: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Why this works: Specific about what they do (sports training and competition). "Year-round" shows commitment. Clear beneficiary definition.
How to improve: Reads like a program description, not a mission. What's the purpose of these programs? What impact do they create?
Visit Special OlympicsWounded Warrior Project
Mission: To honor and empower Wounded Warriors.
Why this works: Exceptionally concise. "Honor and empower" covers respect and practical support. Uses their branded term "Wounded Warriors."
How to improve: Could be more specific about what honoring and empowering looks like, but the simplicity is powerful.
Visit Wounded Warrior ProjectUSO
Mission: The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
Why this works: "Connected to family, home and country" is emotionally resonant. "Throughout their service" shows sustained commitment. Clear mechanism.
How to improve: Name is repeated unnecessarily. "Strengthens" is somewhat vague. Could be more active and specific.
Visit USOFisher House Foundation
Mission: To provide a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.
Why this works: "Home away from home" is a perfect, tangible description of what they provide. Specific about who benefits and where.
How to improve: Could add why this matters—what impact does this have on families and patients? But the clarity is strong.
Visit Fisher House FoundationRonald McDonald House Charities
Mission: To create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.
Why this works: "Directly improve" emphasizes measurable impact. Includes families, not just children. Three-part approach (create, find, support).
How to improve: Doesn't mention their signature House program. Could be more specific about what they're known for.
Visit Ronald McDonald House CharitiesSamaritan's Purse
Mission: To provide spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.
Why this works: Concise and clear. Acknowledges both spiritual and physical dimensions. "Hurting people" is accessible language.
How to improve: "Around the world" is generic. What makes their approach distinctive? Could be more specific about types of aid.
Visit Samaritan's PurseWorld Food Program USA
Mission: To support the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme to feed the world's hungry poor.
Why this works: Clear relationship to the UN WFP. Simple goal (feed the hungry). "World's hungry poor" is direct.
How to improve: "To support the mission of..." makes them sound secondary. Lead with the impact they create, not the organization they support.
Visit World Food Program USAAction Against Hunger
Mission: To save, improve and protect lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of undernutrition.
Why this works: Technical precision (prevention, detection, treatment) shows expertise. Three outcomes (save, improve, protect). Clear mechanism.
How to improve: Dense with multiple triplets. Could be simplified. What does this look like for the people they serve?
Visit Action Against HungerAlzheimer's Association
Mission: To end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
Why this works: Bold goal (end Alzheimer's). Expands to "all dementia." Three-part approach covers research, prevention, and care.
How to improve: Long with multiple clauses. The em-dash construction is awkward. Could be split into a shorter mission with supporting pillars.
Visit Alzheimer's AssociationAmerican Lung Association
Mission: To save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
Why this works: Clear and specific to their focus. "Save lives" raises the stakes. Covers both improvement and prevention.
How to improve: Solid but not memorable. Could use more distinctive language. What makes their approach unique?
Visit American Lung AssociationArthritis Foundation
Mission: To pursue a cure for America's #1 cause of disability while championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing science, resources, advocacy and community connections.
Why this works: "#1 cause of disability" is a powerful, little-known fact. Four-part approach is comprehensive. "Championing the fight" is active.
How to improve: Too long with too many elements. Pick one primary message. "While" construction suggests competing priorities.
Visit Arthritis FoundationMental Health America
Mission: To advance the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service.
Why this works: Comprehensive approach (education, research, advocacy, service). "All people" is inclusive. "Well-being" expands beyond clinical mental health.
How to improve: Too long and list-like. The four methods crowd out the mission itself. Lead with the vision, not the approach.
Visit Mental Health AmericaNAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Mission: To provide advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
Why this works: Includes families, not just individuals. "Build better lives" is hopeful and empowering. Four-part approach is comprehensive.
How to improve: Leads with methods (advocacy, education, support) rather than the outcome. Flip the structure to lead with impact.
Visit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Mission: To cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Why this works: Bold goal (cure). Specific about diseases. Includes quality of life, not just cure. Includes families.
How to improve: Lists four diseases which may overwhelm. Could simplify to "blood cancers." The two-part structure could be cleaner.
Visit Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyAutism Speaks
Mission: To promote solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
Why this works: "Across the spectrum" acknowledges autism diversity. "Throughout the life span" addresses adult needs too. Includes families.
How to improve: "Promote solutions" is vague. What solutions? The phrasing is awkward with multiple prepositional phrases. Simplify.
Visit Autism SpeaksCystic Fibrosis Foundation
Mission: To cure cystic fibrosis and to provide all people with CF the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives.
Why this works: Bold cure goal. Addresses both research (cure) and current patients (fulfilling lives). "Long, fulfilling" is aspirational.
How to improve: Using "CF" after spelling it out is slightly redundant. Otherwise strong and balanced.
Visit Cystic Fibrosis FoundationNational Kidney Foundation
Mission: To prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
Why this works: Comprehensive coverage: prevention, care, and transplant. Includes families. Adds urinary tract to expand beyond just kidneys.
How to improve: Far too long. Three separate missions in one sentence. Pick a primary focus and commit to it.
Visit National Kidney FoundationDiabetes Research Institute Foundation
Mission: To provide the funding necessary to cure diabetes now.
Why this works: Bold and urgent ("now"). Clear role (funding). Single-minded focus on cure. Concise.
How to improve: "Provide the funding necessary" is wordy. Consider: "To fund the cure for diabetes—now."
Visit Diabetes Research Institute FoundationMichael J. Fox Foundation
Mission: To find a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensure the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.
Why this works: "Aggressively funded" shows urgency and commitment. Balances long-term (cure) with immediate (therapies). Specific disease focus.
How to improve: Long and complex. Two separate goals could be split. "Ensure the development" is passive. Make it more active.
Visit Michael J. Fox FoundationPancreatic Cancer Action Network
Mission: To take bold action to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer.
Why this works: "Bold action" conveys urgency and ambition. "Everyone impacted" includes patients, families, caregivers. Simple and memorable.
How to improve: "Improve the lives" is vague. What does this look like? Could be more specific about outcomes.
Visit Pancreatic Cancer Action NetworkSandy Hook Promise
Mission: To end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children.
Why this works: Bold goal (end school shootings). "Culture change" addresses root causes. Expands to broader child safety.
How to improve: Two goals in one sentence. "Other harmful acts that hurt children" is vague. Focus on the primary, differentiated mission.
Visit Sandy Hook PromiseEverytown for Gun Safety
Mission: To end gun violence and build safer communities.
Why this works: Concise and clear. Dual focus on stopping the negative and building the positive. "Safer communities" is aspirational.
How to improve: Could be more specific about approach. How do they build safer communities? What makes their approach unique?
Visit Everytown for Gun SafetyGirls Who Code
Mission: To build the world's largest pipeline of future female engineers.
Why this works: "World's largest pipeline" is ambitious and measurable. "Future female engineers" is specific about outcome. Clear and memorable.
How to improve: "Pipeline" is corporate jargon that may feel impersonal. Could be more inspiring about what these engineers will do.
Visit Girls Who CodeScholarship America
Mission: To eliminate barriers to educational success so that any student can pursue their dream.
Why this works: "Eliminate barriers" addresses systemic issues. "Any student" is inclusive. "Pursue their dream" is aspirational and personal.
How to improve: Could mention scholarships specifically since that's their mechanism. Otherwise strong and inspiring.
Visit Scholarship AmericaUNCF (United Negro College Fund)
Mission: To build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of under-represented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly-qualified college graduates.
Why this works: Specific about creating graduates, not just providing access. "Highly-qualified" emphasizes quality outcomes.
How to improve: "Pipeline" is corporate jargon. "Robust and nationally recognized" is about UNCF's reputation, not student outcomes. Focus on the students.
Visit UNCF (United Negro College Fund)DonorsChoose
Mission: To make it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need.
Why this works: Simple and accessible. "Easy for anyone" lowers barriers. "Classroom in need" is specific and tangible. Perfect length.
How to improve: Near perfect. Could potentially add what happens when classrooms get help, but brevity wins.
Visit DonorsChooseCity Year
Mission: To build democracy through citizen service, civic leadership and social entrepreneurship.
Why this works: Ambitious connection between service and democracy. Three-part approach is memorable. Emphasizes leadership development.
How to improve: Doesn't mention education/schools, which is their primary work. The democracy language may feel abstract. More concrete focus would help.
Visit City YearYear Up
Mission: To close the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that Young Adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.
Why this works: "Opportunity Divide" is powerful branded language. Specific three elements (skills, experiences, support). Clear pathways (careers, education).
How to improve: Long and complex. Capitalizing "Young Adults" is unusual. Could be tightened to focus on the core Opportunity Divide concept.
Visit Year Up